My Pension Expert Clarence House Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 14.79s

Editeur Du Gite³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 162| CD

15/2

Bold-jumping front-runner who landed the Desert Orchid at Kempton before battling well to score in this corresponding event last season. Back on song after a couple of below-par efforts when winning latest renewal of former event (now a handicap) last month and he's Jonbon's most obvious danger.

Form: 144-541

Elixir De Nutz^p,t³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Freddie Gingell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 156| CD

22/1

Has returned better than ever this season, supplementing his Haldon Gold Cup success in November with another victory at Newbury (16.4f, good to soft) the following month. Another solid effort when 3 lengths third to Editeur du Gite at Kempton last month but this likely a bridge too far.

Form: 92-5113

Fugitif^p,t⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: R Hobson| OR: 157| C| D

10/1

Looked a lot more mature last season, winning at Chepstow before a couple of good seconds in handicaps over 2½m at this venue. Finally landed a big pot in December Gold Cup here (20.6f, good to soft) 6 weeks ago but remains to be seen if he can make the step up to graded level. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 1225-41

Jonbon⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 170| CD

1/4

Grade 1 winning hurdler who has quickly developed into a top-class chaser, his only defeat coming at the hands of El Fabiolo in last season's Arkle. Didn't need to match his effort in the Shloer to follow up in Tingle Creek at Sandown (15.4f, soft) 7 weeks ago and he's very hard to oppose.

Form: 1211-11

Nube Negra^t³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: D Skelton| OR: 156| CD

22/1

Landed very short odds to win his second Shloer Chase last term. Unable to live with Jonbon on first couple of starts this season but more at home when chasing home Editeur du Gite for a second successive year in Desert Orchid at Kempton over Christmas. Shouldn't be featuring.

Form: 12P-342

Forecasts

Jonbon (1/4), Editeur Du Gite (15/2), Fugitif (10/1), Elixir De Nutz (22/1), Nube Negra (22/1)

A fourth Clarence House staged here in the past 11 years following an abandonment at Ascot the previous week and with El Fabiolo staying at home, this looks a gilt-edged opportunity for JONBON to register an eighth success over fences before again locking horns with Willie Mullins' superstar in the Champion Chase at the Festival. Editeur du Gite rates as the obvious threat, while December Gold Cup winner Fugitif adds another layer of intrigue having another crack at graded level.